Extended Storage

Content Source: 2020 600R Owner’s Manual (9929778 R01) > Maintenance Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the CONTENTS link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com

Extended Storage

Off-season or extended storage of your snowmobile requires preventive measures to aid against deterioration and to prolong the useful life of many components.

Cleaning and Preservation

Proper storage starts with cleaning, washing, and waxing the hood, side panels, chassis, and plastic parts. Wipe down remaining surfaces with a damp cloth. Clean and touch up with paint any rusted or previously painted surfaces. Be sure that corrosive salt and acids are removed from surfaces before beginning preservation with waxes and rust inhibitors (grease, oil or paint).

The snowmobile should be stored in a dry garage or shed, out of direct sunlight, and covered with a fabric snowmobile cover. Plastic tarp may cause condensation to form and damage snowmobile components.

Controls and Linkage

Lubricate all bushings, tie rod ends, and cables as outlined in the Periodic Maintenance Table.

Battery Storage

Whenever the vehicle is not used for a period of three months or more, remove the battery from the vehicle, ensure that it's fully charged, and store it out of the sun in a cool, dry place. Check battery voltage each month during storage and recharge as needed to maintain a full charge.

TIP

Battery charge can be maintained by using a POLARIS Battery TenderTM charger or by charging about once a month to make up for normal self-discharge. Battery TenderTM can be left connected during the storage period, and will automatically charge the battery if the voltage drops below a pre-determined point.

Clutch and Drive System

Remove the drive belt and store in a cool dry location. Do not lubricate clutch components, except the driven clutch shaft bushing as outlined in the Master Repair Manual. Your dealer can perform this service.

Engine and Carburetor Protection

Proper preparation of the engine and fuel system is vital to the prevention of rust and corrosion on precision engine parts during storage. Whenever the machine is stored for a period of more than 60 days, the engine must be fogged with fogging oil. Follow the engine fogging instructions provided on the container.

Always add Carbon Clean or a fuel conditioner/stabilizer to the fuel tank. Follow the instructions on the container, running the engine for five minutes to get additives through the entire fuel system. Top off with fresh fuel. Do not allow the snowmobile to run out of fuel.

TIP

Jet restriction caused by improper storage can cause lean conditions and very poor slow speed driving quality.

Using a fuel stabilizer and topping off the fuel tank eliminates the need to drain the fuel system. If you prefer to drain the fuel tank, use the following procedure

Transfer unused fuel from the fuel tank to an approved fuel container using a siphon pump. Do not re-use fuel after storage.
Securely support the front of the snowmobile with a jack stand so the machine is elevated and the engine is tilted rearward.
Remove the spark plug(s).
Rotate the engine slowly, watching the piston until it’s at bottom dead center (BDC), the lowest position in the cylinder. On twin cylinder models, the opposite piston will be up.
Pour approximately two ounces of POLARIS injector oil into the spark plug hole.
Wait one to two minutes and perform steps 3–5 on remaining cylinders.
Replace the spark plugs and lower the machine to the floor.

Electrical Connections

Replace worn or frayed electrical wire and connectors. Be sure wiring harness is properly secured away from sharp edges, steering linkage, moving parts, and hot exhaust parts.

Track and Suspension

Moderate track tension should be maintained during summer storage. The snowmobile should be supported off the ground to allow the track to hang freely.